“Now I am [aware] but it doesn’t really matter,” Wozniacki told The Age. ”I finished the year as No. 1 twice in a row and very few people have done that and very few people have finished No. 1 and very few people have held on to the No. 1 ranking.

”I’ve held it for 64 weeks, so that’s a lot and a great achievement and it’s always been a dream of mine to reach that ranking, but now it’s just about improving my game and to try to win as many matches as I can.”

The 21-year-old Kvitova won Wimbledon last year and ended 2011 on a 12-match win streak with titles at Linz and the WTA Championships. She also beat Wozniacki at the Hopman Cup exo last week. Though the lefty doesn’t sound all that excited about reach the top of the WTA.

“Not really,” Kvitova said when asked last week of her desire to become No. 1. “My goal is only focus on my improving game.”

Both Kvitova and Wozniacki open with byes in Sydney. Kvitova could meet Sam Stosur in the quarters, Vera Zvonareva in the semifinals. Wozniacki is seeded to meet Aga Radwanska in her quarter, Victoria Azarenka in the semis.

Regardless of the outcome at Sydney, Wozniacki will still be the top seed at the Australian Open followed by No. 2 Kvitova. Australian Open seedings are based on the January 9 rankings.

“Not really,” Kvitova said when asked last week of her desire to become No. 1. “My goal is only focus on my improving game.”

This sort of comment can just be the standard response, but I think Kvitova probably means it. Watching her last year was some experience. Here was a tremendous raw talent, and you sensed there was so much more to come. She’s still learning. Once she’s got her game under control, without sacrifice to her attacking instincts,it’s hard to see the limits. She really does have everything.

Very intellingent game by Schiavone, poor game by Stosur. I thought Brisbane was just bad day but after watching her today I don’t give her much of the chances at AO. Third, fourth round at most. Shiavone did well in Brisbane too, but was completely fatigued and sick after epic, over three hours, match with Jelena Jankovic, and Kanepi was as fresh as a daisy next day.

Yes, Grendel, I think Kvitova does mean it. She has an endearing honesty. If she can cut out those spells when her concentration wavers, she may well dominate the sport when Serena Williams finally calls it a day. Could there be a greater contrast between two personalities?